AHK-Cu vs Pinealon
Side-by-side comparison of key properties, dosing, and research.
- Summary
- AHK-Cu is a copper tripeptide composed of alanine, histidine, and lysine chelated to copper. Distinct from GHK-Cu, AHK-Cu exhibits strong affinity for hair follicle receptors and demonstrates potent hair growth stimulation alongside wound healing and skin regeneration properties.
- Pinealon is a synthetic tripeptide (Glu-Asp-Arg) developed by the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation, designed to penetrate the blood-brain barrier and exert neuroprotective, neurogenic, and anti-aging effects by regulating pineal gland and brain cell function.
- Half-Life
- Hours (topical, variable by formulation)
- Short (peptides rapidly degraded), but epigenetic/gene regulatory effects persist
- Admin Route
- Topical, Scalp application, Subcutaneous (research)
- SubQ, Oral, Intranasal
- Research
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- Typical Dose
- 0.01–0.1% concentration
- 5–10 mg (oral) or 50–100 mcg (SC)
- Frequency
- Once or twice daily
- Once daily for 10 days
- Key Benefits
- Stimulates hair follicle growth and reduces shedding
- Increases dermal papilla cell proliferation
- Promotes wound healing and skin regeneration
- Antioxidant protection via superoxide dismutase activation
- Improves skin elasticity and firmness
- Supports collagen and elastin production
- Neuroprotection against oxidative stress and hypoxia
- Promotes neuronal regeneration and repair
- Improves memory and cognitive function
- Enhances sleep quality via melatonin regulation
- Anti-aging effects on brain cells
- May slow cognitive decline in neurodegeneration
- Improves cerebrovascular circulation
- Reduces neuroinflammation
- Side Effects
- Generally well-tolerated topically
- Mild scalp irritation or redness in sensitive individuals
- Possible temporary hair shedding phase at treatment initiation
- Copper accumulation with excessive systemic use (rare)
- Excellent safety profile in clinical use
- Rare: mild drowsiness
- Transient mild headache at initiation
- Injection site reaction (SC)
- Stacks With
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